Bonfire

A Novel

By: Krysten Ritter

Narrated by: Karissa Vacker

“A suspenseful, psychologically gripping story” (Entertainment Weekly) that explores what happens when your past and present collide, from the star of Netflix’s Jessica Jones, AMC’s Orphan Black: Echoes, and author of the novel Retreat.

“A phenomenal, haunting debut.”—Gillian Flynn

“Dark, disturbing, and compulsively readable.”—Ruth Ware

Nothing burns as bright as the truth.

It has been ten years since Abby Williams, a successful environmental lawyer, left home for the modern apartments and one-night stands of Chicago. But when a new case takes her back home to Barrens, Indiana, the life Abby painstakingly created begins to crack. Tasked with investigating Optimal Plastics, the town’s economic heart, Abby begins to find strange connections to Barrens’s biggest scandal, involving her former classmate Kaycee Mitchell—just before Kaycee disappeared for good. And when Abby unearths a disturbing ritual called “The Game,” it will threaten reputations and lives, exposing a darkness that may consume her.

Critic reviews

“Krysten Ritter made a name for herself by portraying some of the fiercest female characters in pop culture history. It should come as no surprise, then, that her debut novel carries that same level of strength and complexity on every single page. . . . As Abby confronts her demons one by one, it becomes clear that she's one hell of a complicated lady—and a protagonist that's so damn appealing that it's hard not to read the whole book in one sitting. . . . Brilliant.”—PopSugar

“[Ritter brings an] unconventional, edgy approach to her engrossing suspense novel, Bonfire. Deliciously moody with a noirish undertone, Bonfire ignites a first-rate mystery resplendent with shadowy scenery, a tight plot and a lead character that is both fragile and strong… The melding of corporate corruption and the personal pollution that Abby endures elevates Bonfire, which blazes uncompromising storytelling and a believable, and shocking, finale. The exciting Bonfire shows that not only can you go home again, sometimes you must – to escape it and reconcile the past.”—Associated Press

“An expertly plotted page-turner.”—Marie Claire

“Ritter has written a taut narrative that hinges around a satisfyingly lurid mystery. More than that, though, Ritter has given readers the kind of unforgettable narrator, full of quirks and bad habits and emotions, who is relatable in the best possible ways.”—Nylon

“Bonfire is a stone-cold stunner—the writing is dazzling, the suspense is creeping, and the story of a woman returning home to face her past is brimming with emotion and truth. An extraordinary debut from a major talent.”—Blake Crouch, New York Times bestselling author of Recursion and Dark Matter

“A vicious years-old small-town scandal makes the perfect backdrop for this gritty, moody mystery that will have readers ripping through the pages at top speed. Bonfire ushers in a bold new voice to the suspense genre. I can't wait to see what Ritter dreams up next.”—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Girl

“Actress Ritter makes a triumphant fiction debut with this pulse-pounding thriller featuring a sympathetic, broken lead character. . . . Pitch-perfect.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Ritter, lead actress on television’s Jessica Jones, is likely to attract readers with her name, but this strong, gritty debut is good enough to create its own fan following.”—Booklist

“[Bonfire is] a fast-paced thriller that . . . introduces a tough female lead who’s easy to root for.”—Kirkus Reviews

Riveting

Riveting story from start to finish. Incorporates two-hot button topics together beautiful showing that corruption and abuse are multi-layered. The female at the center is a wonderful Verizon- flawed but strong in her beliefs.

Excellent read!

I couldn’t stop listening. Great writing, characters and a plot that kept me guessing the entire time!!!

Fantastic

This book was good from start to finish. I enjoyed the characters and the story line. I really hope she continues to write more novels.

Enjoyable Thriller

The book started off slow but it ended up being an enjoyable read. I really loved the way the author chose to end the story!

Entertaining

This book does a good job of keeping you guessing and second guessing. It’s entertaining and well written, and the narrator does a good job